Too many hangers? Send them packing

I finally cleaned out a small clothes closet and let go of items I had not worn in years because a) I might get back into it and/or b) sentimental attachment. It was hard to let go, but it was time.

Do you know of any organizations that could use hangers? I have wire and plastic hangers. I am a big time recycle person, so I don’t want to just throw them out unless they are damaged. Do drycleaners take hangers? What about those donation bins I see around town – do they want hangers? Goodwill has a ton of clothes – do they need hangers?

I ran into the same issue when I cleaned out my closets this fall, and I recommend getting rid of them. One of my “aha!” moments came when I realized that I didn’t need more hangers; I needed fewer clothes. Now, I’m allowed to keep only what fits on the hangers I kept. Nothing can come in unless something goes out.

Like you, I didn’t want to throw mine away. But there are ways to recycle them:

1. Donate them to your local dry cleaners.

I stopped by Sunshine Cleaners in Newton Plaza on my way to work and asked if they’d accept wire and plastic hangers. They will. It’s common practice, according toUnclutterer:

Most dry cleaners recycle hangers and actually appreciate you returning them because it saves them money. You get rid of clutter in your closet and help keep landfills free of hangers.